Sarah McCammonhttp://wrvo.org
enCensus Bureau Tests New Online Survey In Small Towns Ahead Of 2020http://wrvo.org/post/census-bureau-tests-new-online-survey-small-towns-ahead-2020
The nation is halfway between census years. The next decennial U.S. Census is coming up in 2020. And for the first time, it'll be offered online. That means census officials have lots of work to do to make sure no one is left behind.<p>For several months this year, the Rev. Thurmond Tillman has been working for the Census Bureau. His main gig is at First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Ga., where's he's been a pastor for more than 30 years.<p>The sun isn't quite up, but Tillman is already on the road.Mon, 23 Mar 2015 07:42:00 +0000Sarah McCammon70029 at http://wrvo.orgBooks With Gay Themes Put S.C. Colleges' Funding At Riskhttp://wrvo.org/post/gay-friendly-book-selections-put-college-funding-risk
<p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmt7Taz6JUU</p>Fri, 09 May 2014 07:43:00 +0000Sarah McCammon55493 at http://wrvo.orgBooks With Gay Themes Put S.C. Colleges' Funding At RiskMusic Education For Creativity, Not A Tool For Test Scoreshttp://wrvo.org/post/music-education-creativity-not-tool-test-scores
In a mobile classroom — basically a trailer outfitted with a desk and some chairs — music teacher Chris Miller works with a group of active kindergartners dressed in green and khaki school uniforms. He teaches them the basics: musical concepts, artists and styles of music.<p>"Everybody repeat after me," he says. "Wade in the water." Kids sing back, "Wade in the water."<p>Though classes like Miller's still exist, the arts have been known to fall down the priority list amid pressure on schools to improve test scores.Tue, 18 Feb 2014 22:33:00 +0000Sarah McCammon51552 at http://wrvo.orgMusic Education For Creativity, Not A Tool For Test ScoresIn Rural Iowa, Distance Makes Health Care Sign-Ups A Challengehttp://wrvo.org/post/rural-iowa-distance-makes-health-care-sign-ups-challenge
Broadlawns Medical Center has been serving low-income residents of Des Moines, Iowa, and the surrounding countryside for decades. Now there's a twist in Broadlawns' mission as a public hospital: helping people sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act.<p>On a recent Saturday morning, Jerrine Sanford traveled half an hour from the small town of Runnells to get her insurance questions answered at a hospital-run event.<p>Sanford, 47, is out of work because of a back injury.Wed, 27 Nov 2013 20:42:00 +0000Sarah McCammon47777 at http://wrvo.orgIn Rural Iowa, Distance Makes Health Care Sign-Ups A ChallengeThe Silver Lining In Drought: 5 Upsides To Rain-Free Weatherhttp://wrvo.org/post/silver-lining-drought-5-upsides-rain-free-weather
Drought is mostly seen as a bad thing — and for good reason. It dries up crops, destroys landscaping and stops ships from moving. But even the lack of rain clouds has a bright side.<p><strong>Good For Grapes</strong><p>Last summer it seemed like all Midwestern farmers were upset over the lack of rain. But not all of them were; those growing grapes were embracing the drought.<p>John Larson makes wine at Snus Hill Winery in Madrid, Iowa. This time of year, he's not growing grapes but instead mixing wine in giant, silver tanks.Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:09:00 +0000Sarah McCammon32507 at http://wrvo.orgThe Silver Lining In Drought: 5 Upsides To Rain-Free WeatherOn The Trail In Iowa, The 'Death Tax' Gets New Lifehttp://wrvo.org/post/trail-iowa-death-tax-gets-new-life
<p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKhjhJWKmX4</p>Sun, 21 Oct 2012 21:46:00 +0000Sarah McCammon27886 at http://wrvo.orgOn The Trail In Iowa, The 'Death Tax' Gets New LifeIowa Voters Who Are — Literally — Done With The Electionhttp://wrvo.org/post/iowa-voters-who-are-literally-done-election
Early in-person voting has begun in Iowa, the first swing state to open polling sites.<p>Residents of the battleground state can now vote in person at their local county auditors' offices or turn them in by mail. Some areas will offer additional satellite locations.<p><p>At the Polk County Auditor's office in downtown Des Moines Thursday morning, a line of voters stretched down the block as the door opened.<p>Peter Clay, 62, was among the many supporters of President Obama.Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:21:00 +0000Sarah McCammon26709 at http://wrvo.orgIowa Voters Who Are — Literally — Done With The ElectionIowa Becomes First Swing State To Begin Early In-Person Votinghttp://wrvo.org/post/iowa-becomes-first-swing-state-begin-early-person-voting
There goes Iowa again, always having to be first. The home of the first-in-the-nation caucuses is also the first swing state to begin early in-person voting in the presidential election.<p>Although votes won't be counted until November, voters can cast ballots starting Thursday at county auditors' offices.Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:22:00 +0000Sarah McCammon26666 at http://wrvo.orgIowa Becomes First Swing State To Begin Early In-Person VotingWith Big Parties Over, It's Back To Small-Population Swing Stateshttp://wrvo.org/post/big-parties-over-its-back-small-population-swing-states
On the heels of the quadrennial political extravaganzas, it's back to the day-to-day work of winning the election.Fri, 07 Sep 2012 11:03:00 +0000Sarah McCammon25626 at http://wrvo.orgWith Big Parties Over, It's Back To Small-Population Swing States'My Two Moms' Author Hopes To Highlight Gay Rights At Convention http://wrvo.org/post/my-two-moms-author-hopes-highlight-gay-rights-convention
In another sign of Democrats' growing embrace of gay-rights issues, an Iowa man who gained national attention for his story of growing up with lesbian mothers was to address the party's national convention Thursday.<p>Zach Wahls became a bit of an Internet star last year after testifying against a proposed same-sex marriage ban before members of the Iowa House of Representatives.Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:36:00 +0000Sarah McCammon25585 at http://wrvo.org'My Two Moms' Author Hopes To Highlight Gay Rights At Convention Eastwood And His Chair Not Only Entertainers On The Trailhttp://wrvo.org/post/eastwood-and-his-chair-not-only-entertainers-trail
Mitt Romney has Clint Eastwood <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DGl-4gByV4" target="_blank">and that now-famous empty chair</a> on his side.Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:19:00 +0000Sarah McCammon25296 at http://wrvo.orgEastwood And His Chair Not Only Entertainers On The TrailIn Iowa Ad War, It's Heartstrings Vs. Heartstringshttp://wrvo.org/post/iowa-ad-war-its-heart-strings-vs-heart-strings
<p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWCXEgv5miE</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwlZgLbrAjM</p>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:36:00 +0000Sarah McCammon25168 at http://wrvo.orgIssue Of Abortion Back In Spotlight In Swing Stateshttp://wrvo.org/post/issue-abortion-back-spotlight-swing-states
With women's issues front and center again in the presidential campaign, a bus tour through several swing states kicked off Monday in opposition to President Obama's views on abortion.<p>At the same time, the Obama campaign launched a new TV ad — aimed at some of the same voters in some of the same key states — criticizing Republican Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, on the issue.<p>As you've probably heard by now, Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fdisTOKom5I" target="_blank">told a St.Mon, 20 Aug 2012 21:01:00 +0000Sarah McCammon24679 at http://wrvo.orgObama's Iowa Hosts Say They'll Pray For Him, But They Won't Vote For Himhttp://wrvo.org/post/obamas-iowa-hosts-say-theyll-pray-him-they-wont-vote-him
Iowans are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73vsqcpkFes" target="_blank">famously nice</a> — so nice, it seems, they'll let you hold a campaign event on their property even if they won't vote for you.<p>Hours after President Obama paid a visit to a central Iowa farm Tuesday afternoon, the farm owner's adult son <a href="http://okhenderson.com/2012/08/14/obamas-afternoon-farm-host-excoriates-the-potus/" target="_blank">issued a statement</a> not exactly in line with the Obama campaign's talking points.<p>Jarret Heil, farmer Jeff Heil's son, calls the president's visit "truly an honor," aWed, 15 Aug 2012 20:19:00 +0000Sarah McCammon24422 at http://wrvo.orgObama's Iowa Hosts Say They'll Pray For Him, But They Won't Vote For HimRaucous Iowa Convention May Signal What's To Comehttp://wrvo.org/post/raucus-iowa-convention-may-signal-whats-come
You know things are going badly when the person at the front of the room has to say, "This is not going well." The fireworks at Iowa's Republican State Convention began even before lunchtime Saturday. At one point during the day, the parliamentarian threatened to kick out the next person who tried to speak out of order.<p>If Saturday's convention is any indication, Mitt Romney may not be in for smooth sailing at this summer's national convention in Florida.<p>Why the rancor in Iowa? Many longtime party activists say supporters of Texas Rep.Sun, 17 Jun 2012 09:41:00 +0000Sarah McCammon21083 at http://wrvo.orgRomney Backers Brace For Paul 'Circus' In Iowa http://wrvo.org/post/romney-backers-brace-paul-circus-iowa
While Mitt Romney has a virtual lock on the Republican presidential nomination, fans of Rep. Ron Paul of Texas aren't quite giving up.<p>While they know he won't be president, they're still working to promote Paul's ideas.Thu, 14 Jun 2012 20:01:00 +0000Sarah McCammon20956 at http://wrvo.orgRomney Backers Brace For Paul 'Circus' In Iowa Corn Farmers Hope, Cautiously, For A Bumper Crophttp://wrvo.org/post/corn-farmers-hope-cautiously-bumper-crop
It's still too early to predict whether the 2012 corn harvest will set a record, but many corn farmers say the prognosis for a bumper crop is looking pretty good right now.<p>U.S. farmers are planting more acres of corn this year than they have in any year since the Great Depression. And with a mild spring across much of the nation's Corn Belt, many are hoping this autumn's yield will be one for the record books.<p><strong>A Crop That 'Will Knock Your Socks Off'</strong><p>Bill Couser, who grows crops and raises cattle near the central Iowa town of Nevada, is optimistic.Thu, 03 May 2012 20:50:00 +0000Sarah McCammon18674 at http://wrvo.orgCorn Farmers Hope, Cautiously, For A Bumper CropWomen Take Over The Farmhttp://wrvo.org/post/women-take-over-farm
Transcript <p>GUY RAZ, HOST: <p>Staying in the middle of the country, you might have heard that America's farmers are getting older. Something else you probably know: women tend to outlive men. So do the math and what do you get? More women in charge of land and some who aren't really sure how to take care of it. So as Iowa Public Radio's Sarah McCammon reports, female conservationists are reaching out to this growing group.<p>SARAH MCCAMMON, BYLINE: Say you suddenly had 40 acres all yours. What would you do with it?Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:04:00 +0000Sarah McCammon18005 at http://wrvo.org